John g



J. G. KJELLGREN AND G. H. SEPHENSON.

METHOD OF ELECTRIC WiLDlNG AND APPARMUS FOR USE THEREIN.

APPLICATION mio 0m14.191s.

1 ,$09,947. Patented July 15, 1919.

NVENTO L G. KJELLGREN ANU G. H. STEFHENSON.

MEHoD 0F ELECTRIC wiLosN AND APPARATUS FOK USE THEHEIN.

UPUCATUN HL DEC. l44 |516. 1,309,947. ,Patented July 15, 1919.

2 SHEfTS-SHERT 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

. JOHN G. KJELLGREN,.0F BROOKLYN', NEW YORK, AND GEORGE H. STEPHENSON, OF

CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE ELECTRIC RAILWAY IMPROVEMENT COM- PANY, F CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF 0R10.

METHOD OF ELECTRIC WELDING AND APABATUS FOB, USE THEBEIN.

i Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 15, 1919.

Application led December 14, i916. Serial No.1136,831.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN G. KJEnmnEN,

v'a'subjeet of the King of Sweden, and resident 'of borough' of '-Brooklyn, coun of Kings, State of New York, and GEORGE I. SrnrrmiisoN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, res ectively, have jointly invented a4 new an useful Improvement in Methods of Electric Weldi and A paratus for Use Therein of whic the fol owing is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which we have contem lated ap lying that principle, so as to istinguisi it from other inventions. r

The present improved method and apparatus constitute, in certain respects, an improvement on the method and apparatus disclosed in the ending application of Charles A. Cadwell, ililed June 19 1915, Serial No. 35,081'. Thus one of the objects of the present invention is the provision of an paratus whereby current of relatively hig volt-r age may be utilized, so that for example, in welding rail-bonds onto rai s, current of the voltage regularly used in the o eration of the railways may be taken direct y from the trolley through a minimum ainount of resistance. Heretofore, in operations of this sort, it has'been found necessary to utilize an relectrode of high resistance material, bringing the same to the proper high `tempeinture by passing thercthrou h a current of relatively low voltage an large ainperage. By the present process, however, instead of relying upon the' resistance of such an electrode, we utilize the electric arc which, as is well understood, will require a considerably higher voltage than that just indicated for such resistance electrode.

In employing theelectric are, however, in -welding operations, particularly where the bodies are of unlike mass, and where in addition there may be a disparity in the temperatures of fusion, the smaller mass, for exi ample, having both the lower temperature of fusion and the greater heat. conductivity, an

- tion `with the operation. of applyin successfully employed, as it will fuse or burn such smaller body long before the contact:-` in face of the larger lbody is brou ht to a wdin f temperature; or at least ift e parts arc we ded together at all, they are. thus united only at a `few points` instead otluni-` formly throughout their contact surfaces, as is desirable, particularly in a rail-bonding operation, where the object is to provide an adequate and at the same time permanent electrical connection across the joint between two rails.

The object of the present invention, accorilingly, is to provide, first of all, a method, and means for utilization therewith, whereby the heatin effect of the are may be so regulated anrlg controlled as to affect uniformly a considerable area and thus`-enable, for example, a bond terminal and adjacent face of the rail, wherewith it is in contact, to be brought ractically simultaneously to a proper welding or brazing temperature.y A

urtlier object is to provide a simple and compact apparatus, which may be readily carried about, and which will interfere as little as possible with the use of the rails for traction purposes.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the steps and means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certainV mechanism and steps embodying the invention, which, however, constitute but several of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may 'be used.

In said annexed drawiqgsz adapted for the carrying out of our present improved method, more especially in connecbonds to rails; Fig. 2 is a central longitudinalsec tion of such apparatus, taken on the plane indicated by the line 2 2, Figi; Fig. 3 is a plan view similar to that pf Fig. 1, but showing a modified construction of the'appara.- tus; Fig. 4.- is e side elevational view of such ordinary arc, as is well understood, cannot-bel`modilied construction; F ig.` 5 is a. broken rear elevation of such modified construction Fig. 6 is arcentral longitudinal section of a ortion of the same, corresponding with thc ower right-hand corner of Fig. 2; and Fig.

7 is a diagrammatic illustration of the apparatus showing the circuit connections there- Referring to4 the first of the several illustrative forms of apparatus shown in the aforesaid drawings as adapted for the carrying out of our improved method, it will be noted that the main structural member of the apparatus is a hollow metal core, or ma etlc shell, 1 (Fig. '2). Surrounding suc core or shell, is a coil 2, consisting of a suitable conductor, wound in the form of a helix. This coil is of course suitabl insulated and is in turn surrounded by a light casing 3 of metal, or other suitable material,` which serves to inclose and protect the coil.

The rear end of core 1 is closedlby means of a plate 4 of substantial thickness, atlixed thereto, such plate bein of suitable nonconducting material, sucA as asbestos, com position, or the like, and being furthermore provided with a central a rture 5, through which an electrode 6 consisting of a rod or bar of graphite, may be inserted. A. tubular extension 7, attached to the inner face of the plate 4, provides a bearing, in which such electrode may be slidablysupported, and also constitutes an electrical connection between such electrode and the one terminal 8 of the coil 2. Said electrode has a handle '9 of wood or like material attached to its rear end, by means of which it may be advanced or withdrawn, as desired.

Supported from the same plate 4, is a second metal core, or magnetic shell, which is spaced a slight distance from the latter and terminates some distance short ofthe front end thereof, as clearly `illustrated in Fig. 2. This inner core is additionally supported by means of an annular plate 11 of the same material as the rear closure plate, mounted on the inner end of the tu ular extension 7 said plate 11, at the same time, serving as a partition, cr-rear wall, for a central chamber 12 in the apparatus.

The front lportion of this chamber 12 is formed by a shell or casing 13 of graphite 01 other suitable material. Said shell or casingA 13 is itted in the forward end of the inner core 10, being preferably provided with an external shoulder 14 that abuts against such core, the front end of the shell lying substantially finish with Vthe front end ofthe outer core 1. This end of the shell is closed, the closure in part consisting preferably of'a removable section, or block 15 of the same material as the shell itself, that is dovetailed into a transverse groove 16 in the outside face of the shell-end. The

interior of this end, whether4 of sectional 6: construction or integral, is hollowed out so as to provide a supplemental chamber 17 into which the extreme forward endof thc electrode G is designed to project when in its operative position (Fig. 2).

The coil 2 is preferably included in series with the electrode, the arrangement of the circufit being diagramnintically shown lin Fig. 7, where the return, it will be observed, is through the rail 18 to the generator 19, 75 which is illustrated as of D` C. type. A suitable switch 20 will, of course, be included in the circuit at a point convenient to the apparatus, as also a resistance 21 of any suitable construction, whereby the voltage may be brought down and regulated.

In use, the apparatus as thus described, is designed to be supported so as to bring the outer face of the graphite block 15, which constitutes the front end of the shell 13, in 8.5 proper contactual relation with the bond terminal 22, or other part to be welded, pressing against the same with sufiicient force to hold it in turn in proper contact with the juxtaposed face of the rail 18, or other, 'second body.

In order to thus support the apparatus. various means` muy be provided, those illus trnted in Figs. 1 and 2 being speci-fill)r designed for the field of use referred to, and consisting of two arms or brackets 25, the lower ends of which are adapted to be se curely clamped to the rail by means of setscrews 2G of substantial construction. provided with hand-Wheels, as clearly shown in, Figs. 1 and 2. The free ends of the brackets 25, when thus in place on the rail, project upwardly and outwardly, and are. connected bv means of two transverse rods or bars 27, constituting of the whole n more or less rigid framework. Arms 28 slidnblir attached to these rods, respectively, by ineens of clips 29, serve to pivotallv support a third rod 30 disposed longitudinally of the core 1, and its inclosingshell 3, being at 110 tached to the respective ends thereof by means of plates 31, as will be readily understood. Handled set-screws 32 threaded in the upper ends of the anms which are bent so as to over-lie the rods, may be utilized to raise or lower such arms, indep identi); of each other,-in order to correspondingly raise or lower the adjacent end of the device.

At the same time, the latter may be bodily moved transversely of the rods through a space equal to the sum of the distances between the arms and the adjacent ends of the rod, whileby reason of the ivotal character Y of the connection with the racket arms'25, the device will naturally tend'to hang in a 125 vertical position.

In order to retain the device in adjusted position along the rods 27, clamp screws 33 furthermore are provided, these being threaded in the outer ends of bars 34 that are slidablyaitted `on guides 35v projecting laterallyfrom the casing 3- of the device, whileithe innergfends of suchten-sare pivotallyswattached to theibrackets 2.5about axes 36'1parallel with rods 27.

. -devce ilicluding'rthefcore '1 and 'attached escrlbedivform ofapparatus, clamdps 4Q 4for ed, 'each Saris. -Instad'bf brackets 2'5, as in the first- 'engaging thefrail `18 are 'provi consisting of a U'shapedL-member, -one ,arm-

of which'cam'ies a handledlever 1.111v adapted to ress a pointed plunger 42 .into contact 'wit ' j ustab "sions theinner ends of-which 'are thesi to whichthe bondflfisf-to other ,arm of'each clamp' isf-formed with a projection 43 that extends Ioutwardly and upwardly from-the' rail, and is connected throu hthe medium of alink 44 of ade-length, with-"frame members 45 ther' by means that are in turn joined to 46 ldisposed beof a transverse bar, orro low the shell of the welding device proper.

These'membcrs 45 includefslotted extenivotally attachedlt'oblocks 48 vertically a on'the'l arms of'thefclam s 40 that lie on i .threaded extensions', u onY which are the adj aeent side of the rai heads, set-screws 49 in 4such arms having threaded engagementwith these blocks-to raise or -lower lthe 'same V'within prescribed limits.

" The frame members 45j also include mounted hand-wheels 51 tiat are' sldably f heldin theoppositelv extending. vslotted away from the arms ofa plat 52 isposed transversely of the rear cnd'of'the weldin device and connectedtlierewitliin the fol owing manner as best shown' in Fig. 5, viz: A flat .spring-53 'isfinterposed' between tlie'rear closure plate ofthe device 'and this bar, .and tends to mss the device forwardly Iiatten'such movement being limited ily/ means of cams 54 p'ivotally attached to vears 5,5 on qthe rear end of the i device, and joined'by a` U-shaped handle 56 which may be made 'of length suliicient to clear the electrode handle 9, if desired. L

'As illustrated vQin Fig. 3, the device is shown in its forward .operative position, where itis held by the action of .the compression spring 53, but by swinging the hanldle 56 to the opposite side, as illustrated in dottedoutline, the device will be withdrawn slight-ly; suilicently,A in other words, to clear the bond terminal 22, for the purpose presently to be described.

The device is supported in the frame members 45, so as to -be capable of this slight movement longitudinally of its axis of thei'ail opgeosite to. the one; ailixed., VThe justable' Vby means o1' laterally extending rods or barsGO, two on each side, which lie in the slots in the extensions 47 of -said bars, the outer ends of these rods` beineP connected by transverse bars 6l for the salite of rigidfity, as will'b'e readily understood.V f

stead of inside of the inner core 10. In

suclicasethe shell, in ell'cct, is fitted ,between the two cores 3 and 10, having a Vshoulder`66-on its inner facethat abuts. with the forward 'end of such inner corel A vseparate graphite vblock 67 preferably forms the contact face of the shell, as=1`before. 'l'

The general inode of operation 4is the 'saine in the case of-both forms of the apparatus; in other words,r the supporting frame is attached to the rail by means of the clamping device hereinbefore described, a bond is held or otherwise temporarily ali- -tncled to the Side of the rail, withits ter minals in place, and tliegvcldiiig device is then ad'usted on/its'supporting frame so as to bringr the forvnrd contacting face of the graphite block 15 or 67 opposite `such terminal. Thcieuponthe device is moved forwardlyv so as to presssuch block more or less forcibly against the terminal, and at the same time, or immediately thereafter, the current is turned on by closing the switch.' Assuming the electrodos 6 -to bc properlyadjusted, this adjustment being;l directly afiected by movingr it in or out by mediumof the handle 9 ou its rear end, :in are is established between the front and of such electrode and the graphite block, and the portion of the latter which contacts with the bond. becomes rapidly heated to the point of incandescence. As a result, the bond terminal in turn becomes heated and the heat being conducted therefrom to the adjacent rail face, the contacting surfaces of the two are brought to a temperature al; which they may be welded or brazed together.

During 4the operation just described the electrode ma be advanced until an electric nrc is established between its forward end and the heat distributing'plate, andthe character of such are will of course be va'- i'ied to some extent by the degree of proximity of the parts just named, which may be varied by further advancing or withdrawing such electrode. At all times, however, the coil, in 'conjunction with the outerand inner cores or magnetic shells, rop erly arranged in regard to size and re ative position, will create a magnetic field so directed that its influence' vll change the characteristic of the arc, stead the Same, insuie uniform heating of said eat distributing plate, and prevent the are from shifting or striking over to the side walls of the inc osing chamber or aphite shell.

As soon as the we ding of one terminal has; been completed, the device is withdrawn slightly either by turnin the hand wheels 33, in the first-described orm of the device (Figs. 1 and 2), or by swingingthe handle 56 to the dotted osition mdlcated in Fig. 3 in the second orm. Thereupon, the heating device, proper, can be. shifted alongA the supporting frame a sufficient distance to bring the block 15 opposite the other bond terminal,v and the block be then pressed against such terminal until it 1n turn has been welded, or blazed, to the rail. It'will be evident from the foregoing, that one setting of the supporting frame will serve for several successive welding operations, providing these be spaced Within the limits of the devices transverse adjustment.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the steps or mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following,1 claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

Ve therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention 1. In apparatus of the character delscribed, the combination of means for forming an electric arc; and means for 'controlling such arc, including an electromagnetic coil and a plurality of cores for such coil.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for forming an electric are; and means for controlling such arc, including an electro-mag netic coil and a plurality of cores, consist in of shells ofmagnetic material, for said 3. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of means for forming an electric arc; and means for con trollingsuch arc, including an electro-magnetic coil and a plurality of cores, consisting ofV shells of magnetic material, one Within the other, for said coil.

4. In apparatus ofv the character described, the combination of means for forming an electric are; and means for con trolling such arc, including an electro-mag netic coil disposed with its axis in substantial alinement with such arc, and a plurality of similarly disposed tubular cores for said coil.

tial alinement with such arc; a similarly.;

disposed tubular core within said coil and approximately co-extensive therewith; and

a. second shorter core lying within andv spaced from said first core.

7. In apparatus of the character des scribed, the combination of means for forming an electric are; and means for con trolling such arc, including an electro-magnetic coil disposed with its axis in substantial alinement with such arc; a similarly disposed tubular core within said coil and approximately co-extensive therewith; and a second shorter core lying within, spaced from and terminating short of the front end of said first core.

8. In apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination of a heat-distributing plate adapted to contact with the article to be heated; means for directing an are against such plate; and means for spreading such arc over the surface of said plate, said means including an electro-n'iagnetic coil, and a plurality of cores for said coil.

9. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a heat-distributing plate adapted to contact with the article to be heated; means for directing an arc against such plate; and means for spreading such arc over the surface of said plate, said means including an electro-nmgnetic coil, and a plurality of cores, consisting of shells of magnetic material, for said coil.

10. In apparatus of the character dev scribed, the combination of'a heat-distributing plate adapted to Contact with the article to be heated; means for directing an arc against such plate; and means for spreading such are over the surface of said plate, said means including an electro-magnetic Coil, and a plurality of cores, consisting of shells of magnetic material, one within the other, for said coil.

.11. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a heat-distribut ing plate adapted to contact with the article to be heated; means for directing an arc against such plate; and means for spreading such arc over the surface of said plate, sald means including an electro-magnetic 22. In a method of uniting contacting metal bodies, the steps which consist in holding a hoatdistl'ibut1ng plate under pressure againstonmuch body, establishing an arc between such plate and an ad'acent electrede member, and subjecting suc are to the inuenoe of the magnetic field produced by an electro-magnetic coil adjacent to and coaxial with suoli arc, such coil hving two cores one within, spaced from, and terminatl0 ing short of the other.

Signed by us, this 8th day of December,

JOHN G. KJELLGBEN. i GEORGE H. STEPHENSON. Attested by- WM. E. Hymns, W. VAN NOSTRAN. 

